Apple Watch Fails to unlock macOS

[polyphenol]

When I installed 26 (all round), I found some of the slight issues about my watch not always unlocking were resolved. Now on macOS 26.0.1 and WatchOS 26.0.2.

Trouble is, in the past few days both my Mac mini M4 and my M1 MBP seem to have decided to ignore my watch. The displays on macOS says they are unlocking with my watch, so they recognise the watch exists and that it is present, but then insist on password or TouchID.

At the same time, my iPhone is unlocking from the watch more reliably than ever!

Not the end of the world, of course. But consistency is very much appreciated. Not having to wonder every time whether or not it will work.

 

[chabig]

This used to work a few versions ago. Maybe it still does. (follow at your own discretion)

1. Open "Keychain Access"
2. In "View", enable "Show Invisible Items"
3. Search for "Auto Unlock"
4. You should see a whole bunch of application passwords for "Auto Unlock: XXXX's ..."
5. Select all records and delete (this will reset/disable auto unlock on other Macs if you use multiple Macs)
6. Whilst still in "Keychain Access", search for "AutoUnlock" (no space)
7. There should be 4 entries for "tlk" "tlk-nonsync" "classA" "classC"
8. Select 4 records and delete (don't worry if they re-appear, the system repairs this automatically)
9. Open "Finder" and navigate to "~/Library/Sharing/AutoUnlock"
10. There should be two files "ltk.plist" and "pairing-records.plist"
11. Delete both files
12. Open "System Preferences" and try enabling auto unlock. You may need to enable it twice, the first attempt will fail.

If it seems not to work at first, wait a few hours later and it will probably be fine. Maybe it has to sync with iCloud. I don’t know.

 

[polyphenol]

Thank you - have not done it all yet but will be trying. Looks promising.

A bit of a surprise to see entries from 2020 for my one-before-last iPhone in there! I though they'd have been tided when I removed the device.